Culture 5 Review - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

 

Bibliographic Information

Lin, G. 2009. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316114271.

Plot Summary

In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life’s questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she can change her family’s fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer.

Critical Analysis

Have you ever read a story that felt like it was meant to be told aloud? This is how Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin felt to me. From the first page, I was drawn to the language. It felt like a song, and became a beautiful journey as traditional Chinese folklore was woven in between the pages. 

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a combination of wonderful characters and great story telling that stays with the reader even after they are done reading the book. Although this novel is marketed to the middle grade reader audience, adults will fall in love and get a much deeper meaning out of the story than what is set before them. Minli, our brave young protagonist, lives in a poor village along with her parents. She is however, incredibly rich in imagination and heart. Inspired by the stories her father tells at bedtime, she sets out on an adventure to find the “Old Man on the Moon” and change her family’s future. Along the way, she meets unforgettable characters like a dragon, a king, and friends who teach her what being fortunate really means. There isn't one character in this book that doesn't touch the heart in some way, and this, above all, is what really makes this novel stand out above all the others that I have read recently.

Grace Lin’s writing style is quietly powerful. This novel is filled with grace, wisdom, and subtle lessons about being courageous and grateful, as well as the ties that bond us together. The traditional Chinese folktales throughout the story add depth and culture. My favorite example was when Minli meets the “goldfish man”. The goldfish man gives her a talking fish in exchange for a coin. In Chinese culture, fish are often seen as symbols of prosperity and good luck. This small gesture becomes the spark for her journey. Lin, who is Taiwanese American, based many elements of the story on her research into Chinese folklore and culture, and she also included an author’s note to explain her intentions. The result is a story that feels deeply respectful, rooted in heritage, and universally moving. Lin’s full-color illustrations throughout the book add another dimension of beauty, drawing readers into this magical world even more deeply. 

Awards Won & Review Excerpt(s)

*2010 Newbery Honor

*NY Times Bestseller (Feb 4th, March 14th 2010)

*IndieBound Bestseller

*2010 Bank Street College of Education Josette Frank Award

*2010 Indies Choice Book Awards Finalist For Middle Reader Book of the Year

*Al Roker’s TODAY Show Kid’s Book Club Pick, December 2009

*2010 Mythopeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature

*To change her family's fortunes, a poor Chinese girl embarks on a fantastical quest to discover she already has everything she needs to be happy. Minli and her parents live in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain, where they toil endlessly. Bitter and resentful, Minli's mother complains when her husband fills Minli's imagination with enchanting tales of Never-Ending Mountain and the Old Man of the Moon. "Eager for adventure," Minli sets out alone seeking advice from the Old Man of the Moon. En route she befriends a dragon who joins her quest. Together they encounter a talking goldfish, a boy with a buffalo, a king, a fierce green tiger and laughing twins before scaling Never-Ending Mountain. Lin deftly incorporates elements from Chinese folk- and fairy tales to create stories within the main story and provide context for Minli's quest. With her "lively and impulsive spirit," Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. Richly hued illustrations reinforce the Chinese folk theme. - Kirkus Reviews

Connections

*Discuss the symbolism and cultural references within the book, such as:

-The Old Man in the Moon

-The significance of the color red

-Dragon

-Fruitless Mountain becoming Fruitful Mountain

*Mimic Minli's journey by crafting a compass, perhaps using the instructions provided in Grace Lin's Activity Book, which can be found here: https://gracelin.com/where-the-mountain-meets-the-moon/

*Have students draw a map of Minli’s journey, marking significant locations she visits. Include geographical features and have them write brief descriptions of each area.